This song is the detailed story of the band. The name comes from how John did his writing, he would head a page with the place where an idea or inspiration came. So Creeque Alley (in Jamaica) is where it was written. Their producer was holding back the song "California Dreamin" from release because the /beach Boys were running the charts and he knew that "California" would get little air play and be buried. But the band was hungry and poor, so while at the producers office Cass "stole" an American Express Card that was on the guys desk while he was on a call. They bought plane tickets to Jamaica and lived on the "stolen" card hopping from hotel to hotel every three days so as not to get busted by the "Heat" aka cops. They didn't know that the producer knew they had the card and just thought that they were down there writing the music he wanted for the album. They were in a cafe listening to American radio when they heard their own song on and the DJ say it was climbing the charts! Oh, BTW, "Mugwumps" was the bands name before it was "Mamas and Papas"!
This song is the detailed story of the band. The name comes from how John did his writing, he would head a page with the place where an idea or inspiration came. So Creeque Alley (in Jamaica) is where it was written. Their producer was holding back the song "California Dreamin" from release because the /beach Boys were running the charts and he knew that "California" would get little air play and be buried. But the band was hungry and poor, so while at the producers office Cass "stole" an American Express Card that was on the guys desk while he was on a call. They bought plane tickets to Jamaica and lived on the "stolen" card hopping from hotel to hotel every three days so as not to get busted by the "Heat" aka cops. They didn't know that the producer knew they had the card and just thought that they were down there writing the music he wanted for the album. They were in a cafe listening to American radio when they heard their own song on and the DJ say it was climbing the charts! Oh, BTW, "Mugwumps" was the bands name before it was "Mamas and Papas"!
@scottyboyd And as a follow up to this conversation I have a great puzzle for you all! Where did the band get the original name of "Mugwumps" from?
@scottyboyd And as a follow up to this conversation I have a great puzzle for you all! Where did the band get the original name of "Mugwumps" from?
Hint: It was a very political time in New York when the Mamas and papas got together! Scotty
Hint: It was a very political time in New York when the Mamas and papas got together! Scotty